BX AC Power inverter

Tollster · Nov 11, 2008

Anyone mount an inverter on their BX series yet? I was thinking about doing it this fall and wanted some ideas on where to put it. I thought it may come in handy around the yard, say for a circular saw, drill, or some other project tools.
Any suggestions on which one and size would help too? Anyone know how much amperage the BX can run constant? I was thinking about some additional lighting and maybe a cigarette lighter too. If I had too i could throw in a fuse box, and use switched power.
Thanks,
Toll

tommu56 · Nov 11, 2008

Tollster
Double check your alternator size I think it will be about 20-25 amps at 12volts a 120v load at 5 amps is like 50 amps at 12volts in round numbers,so you would be pulling 25 amps out of battery.
Check your tools I think its not too practical unless its short bursts drill a hole and wait 10 min for battery to charge?
Circular saw will be up around 10 amps so you are at 100 for it at 12.

tommu

dodge man · Nov 12, 2008

My 2350 they list the charging output at 40 amps. I don't know if that means it has a 40 amp alternator or not? I have a cigarate outlet on mine, it came that way. I would think you could hook up an inverter and power some low power items, but I don't know about saws and that kind of thing.

BXpanded · Nov 12, 2008

You didn't specify which BX you have. The 2200, 2230 series have a dynamo with little capacity (15 amps or so?). The 2350 series has a 40 amp alternator.
Most tools like a drill, small grinder etc. pull approximately 8 amps. Some like saws can be much higher (up to 15 amps). An inverter has some losses, maybe as much as 20%. Running an 8 amp tool requires roughly 100 amps draw from the battery. The battery can supply that much for several minutes at a time. The alternator can recharge the battery during breaks in the operation. With the correct inverter you can run these tools longer than you would expect since you seldom drill continuously and at max load.
Downside is, the inverter will be quite expensive and quite large. The inverter will need to be rated for at least 1,200 watts continuous output. It will require a direct hook up to the battery. The size will make it very difficult to permanently mount on a BX since there is little unused space.

My suggestion would be save lots of money and get a good rechargeable tool system.

Travelover · Nov 12, 2008

My local Costco is selling this inverter for about $35 - a great deal for an efficient inverter. I paid about $65 a year ago.

Costco - Xantrex? XPower? Inverter 1000 - 120 VAC/60 Hz

Tollster · Nov 12, 2008

Its a BX23 that I have, I am not too swift on the electicat end of maintence, I can do wiring and fuse box installs with soldering connections, but the amperage draw and math I have trouble with. More mechanically inclined I recon. I thought the inverter may fit in the battery compartment, then it would be out of the weather with easy access. Not sure what the alternator puts out on the BX23 though.
Thanks

radioman · Nov 12, 2008

Hmm. Just thinking out loud here. What if there was a RV marine battery with a battery isolator to charge RV battery only when tractor is running. Have the invertor only run off the RV battery only? Wouldnt there a degree of protection and it can run all the lights saws/etc all you need?

Lets see. 100 bucks for RV battery, 100 bucks for isolator, 100 bucks for invertor=$300. Plus need a place for all this . you can buy a cheap gas gen for about same amount

BXpanded · Nov 12, 2008

Travelover said:
My local Costco is selling this inverter for about $35 - a great deal for an efficient inverter. I paid about $65 a year ago.

Costco - Xantrex? XPower? Inverter 1000 - 120 VAC/60 Hz

$35 (even $75) is definitely a better price on that inverter than I expected. I confess, I have not looked at inverters for quite some time and was also looking at larger units. I have so many rechargeables now that I haven't needed one. Apparently the price has dropped pretty drastically. That one could run some stuff up to about 8 amps. If I had a Costco nearby I might consider one just to be able to run a Porta-Band from my truck. I have 2 plug-in Porta-bands and can't justify a cordless. I use my rechargeable reciprocating saw if I need to cut something.

Tollster, The BX23 has a dynamo (old style generator) instead of an alternator. The output is only about 15 amps if I remember correctly. The later versions have the 40 amp alternator. There is a kit available to upgrade the charging system on the BX23 if you really need more capacity.

The inverter is still pretty large to mount on a BX. The one Travelover mentioned is about 9 1/2 x 11 1/2 x 3. or about the size of a big school notebook. I have no idea where that would fit for a permanent installation. Kubota packed a lot of tractor in a really small package so there's just not much room for other stuff.

Radioman's idea of a generator has some merit. You might pick up a small one used for not much money. Mount it on a pallet and carry it wherever you need it with the loader. Also gives you a little backup power for the house during power outages.

tommu56 · Nov 12, 2008

As for the power question take the tool and read the lable it says 8 amps mutliply it by 10 in round numbers to getthe current at 12v in to the iinvetor
This is tha same as moving the demimal point 1 place to right 8 amps @120 becomes 80 at 12v
This donen,t count in invertor loss but for a novice it gets you in the bal park.
tommu